The Tama County Conservation Board met in regular session on Wednesday, October 1, 2008, in the library, Tama County Nature Center, Otter Creek Park.

Chairman Benda called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.. Members present were: Anderson, Benda, Keenan and Wrage. Also present: Etzel, and Wise.

Minutes from the regular session of September 3, 2008, were read. Moved by Wrage, seconded Keenan to approve the minutes as read, carried. (All voting aye)

The following bills were presented:

BILLS SUBMITTED, BOARD MEETING, OCTOBER 1, 2008
TO BE PAID FROM GEN'L FUND
		Amount of Bill	Category Total
0001-22-6110-000-41200 Postage
Etzel, Robert	As per five (5) receipts	38.31	38.31
0001-22-6100-000-26000 Office Supplies
Staples Credit Plan	#8560546001, 8560546002, 8797099001 misc supplies	184.90	184.90
0001-6100-414-22-990 Telephone
Iowa Telecom	17Sep08, 484-2231 (office), 484-4157 (payphone)	116.88
	17Sep08, 484-5314 (shop)	58.99
Verizon	16Sep08, 484-5314 (shop)	10.70
	16Sep08, 484-4157 (pay phone)	11.69
	16Sep08, 484-2231 (office)	11.12
		209.38	209.38
0001-6100-422-22 School of Instruction
Etzel, Robert	Reimburse for meal while attending REAP Grant review	8.00
	Remiburse for meal while attending CCPOA Training- Johnston	8.00
Wise, Craig	Remiburse for meal while attending CCPOA Training- Johnston	8.00
		24.00	24.00
0001-6110-101-22-223 Salary- Main Supervisor
Wise, Craig	5-Sep-08	1,481.60
	19-Sep-08	1,689.95
		3,171.55	3,171.55
0001-6110-101-22-226 Salary- Conserv Tech
Dolash, Ron	5-Sep-08	1,368.00
	19-Sep-08	1,368.00
		2,736.00	2,736.00
0001-6110-101-22-224 Salary
Beenken, Shawn	5-Sep-08	204.00
	19-Sep-08	270.25
Bergmann, Sandy	5-Sep-08	480.94
	19-Sep-08	691.89
Gettle, Clay	5-Sep-08	433.75
	19-Sep-08	355.00
Peska, Derriss	5-Sep-08	658.75
	19-Sep-08	367.00
		3,461.58	3,461.58
0001-6110-254-22-050 Motor Vehicle- Minor Repair
Central Iowa Farm Store	#68733 wheel (2), assy cartridge (4)	140.30
CQ Auto Parts	#59280 brake fluid;#59985 elec flasher;#59670 grease, refrig;#60285 ball mnt	75.73
J&V Auto Parts	#385028 fuse; #384775 bearing; #384725 switch '01 Dodge	64.66
USS Polaris	#066860 hose clamp (1), oil seal (2)	9.09
		289.78	289.78
0001-6110-292-22-052 Main & Supplies
Central Iowa Distributing	#37547 drain cleaner, bug cart, digestant, pads	519.30
Chyma'S Machine & Welding Shop	#27350 14" x 19-1/2" stell plates (12) for grill repair	330.00
E&F Printing	#58228 3,ooo #10 envelopes w/ logo & address	135.15
Fontinel, Kim	#741573 disking @ CWA, 9 acres, 2 passes @ $14.90/ac/pass	268.20
Marion Brush Mfg & Janitorial Supply	#00061168 premiere towels (4), roll towel (2), multi-fold towel (2)	506.34
Menard's	#53907 window screen;#56465 misc	73.17
Poweshiek Water Assoc.	Water, TFCP for Sept	36.50
Premier Office Equip.	#49069, Premier Platinum Monthly Plan for Sharp AR-651 copier; credit applied	0.68
Sioux Sales Co.	#160064 emerg lights for 2008 Ford F250	169.73
Wendling Quarries, Inc.	#353737 60.73 T 1" rd stone, 138.12T 1-1/2" clean	1,679.21
WW Grainger	#9729638560 barrier taoe, batteries;#9736290819 truck box (cross-over)	486.05
		4,204.33	4,204.33
0001-6110-431-22-990 Electricity
Grundy Co REC	OCP thru 2Sep08, 13,400 KWH- meter #1, 1,180 KWH- (NC)	1,279.72	1,279.72
	Total Bills Submitted, Gen'l Budget		$15,599.55

Moved by Anderson, seconded Keenan to approve bills, carried. (All voting aye).

Reports and Correspondence. Staff /Work. Wise reported on work projects during September. He reported that the seasonal staff is no longer available. This reduces the maintenance staff by 50%./Pheasant Roadside Survey- Board members received copies of the 2008 Roadside Survey conducted by the Iowa DNR. Pheassant numbers are down over the entire state./Wildlife Bureau Reorganization- Etzel reported the DNR is reorganizing the Wildlife Bureau. This means that Rick Trine, current Wildlife Biologist stationed in Marshalltown will become a Supervisor for Central Iowa. Also, Tama County will be aligned with Benton, Linn, Poweshiek, Iowa and Johnson Counties. The Wildlife Biologist will be stationed out of the Iowa City area./FEMA It was reported that Army Corps of Engineers permits to perform rip-rap repair at McCoy, Manatt’s and Longpoint Landings have been approved./ Hansen Addition- Parcel B Appraisal & Wildlife Habitat Stamp Funds- Notice from the DNR has been received that the appraisal for Parcel B has been approved. This should clear the way for a closing on Parcel B by the end of December and the receipt of the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Fund (WHSF)support for the project. The WHSF grant should provide $88,427 towards the acquisition./Hansen Addition- Parcel A Etzel reported the REAP grant application filed for Parcel A failed to score high enough to receive funds. The project, for the second year in a row, was ranked just out of the funds available placing 8^th out of thirty-five grant requests filed. Also for the second year in a row Polk County was in the spot above Tama County and received partial funds for their project./Ike’s Tract Etzel had received a phone call from a user of the facility who refused to identify himself. The person felt a bench should be placed at the hand gun range at the facility and was wondering if it could be in place this fall. Etzel shared that a bench or table of some sort was eventually planned for the range but due to limited staff doubted this would be completed this fall.

The Board considered bids submitted for two rip-rap projects. The two projects include rip-rap at Otter Creek Lake in three different locations at the lake and placing rip adjacent to boat ramps at McCoy, Manatt’s and Longpoint Landings. The Otter Creek Lake project will receive funding assistance through the Fish Habitat Stamp Fund. The boat landing projects will receive partial funding through FEMA assistance due to damage from the floods of 2008.

The following bids were submitted:

Project #1			Bid
Hauling & placing 122T, Class "E" rip-rap along 575' shoreline
at Otter Creek Lake as per specifications
	Contractor
	Dostal Construction, Inc. (Loren Dostal) Toledo		7,850.00
	Weidner Construction, Inc. (Robin Weidner) Marshalltown		8,116.00
	Construct, Inc. (Matthew Jensen) Marshalltown		8,360.00
	Hatch Grading & Contracting, Inc (Dan Hatch) Dysart		9,900.00
	MD Construction (Matt DeSchamp) Garwin		12,579.88
Project #2			Bid
Hauling & placing 173T, Class "E" rip-rap along shoreline of the Iowa River
at three boat landing sites in Tama County as per specifications
		Contractor
		Dostal Construction, Inc. Toledo	8,450.00
		Hatch Grading & Contracting, Inc (Dan Hatch) Dysart	8,750.00
		Construct, Inc. (Matthew Jensen) Marshalltown	9,675.00
		Weidner Construction, Inc. (Robin Weidner) Marshalltown	11,733.00
		MD Construction (Matt DeSchamp) Garwin	13,225.27

After discussion it was moved by Anderson, seconded Wrage that Project #1- Otter Creek Lake be awarded to Dostal Construction, Toledo, for $7,850.00, carried. (All voting aye)

It was moved by Keenan, seconded Wrage that Project #2- Assorted Boat Landings be awarded to Dostal Construction, Toledo, for $8,450.00, carried. (All voting aye)

The Board discussed a critical piece of property that is being sold in the county. The tract, a small oak savannah, is located in a part of the county that has very little native vegetation and is of natural resource and cultural historical significance. Etzel is working with staff of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) to see if something can be worked out to protect the property.

The Board members agreed the tract is of significant importance to the portion of the county in which it is located. Members discussed what they felt was the best use of the tract should the INHF be able to work something out to acquire the property. The board felt the best use was to protect the resource, manage the tract as a wildlife/natural resource historical refuge where no amenities would be developed on site and be available to the public for low impact activities such as mushroom hunting, berry picking and nature observation.

It was moved by Anderson, seconded Wrage that the Conservation Board would agree to manage the tract if the parameters of use are agreeable to the conservation board upon acquisition, carried. (All voting aye)

Membership with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation was discussed. Etzel pointed out that technical assistance has been provided to the County Conservation Board through the years and most recently with the Hansen Addition to Otter Creek Lake & Park. He anticipates that the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation will be an important resource for future projects. After discussion it was moved by Keenan, seconded Wrage that the County Conservation Board become a member at the Steward level of $500, carried. (All voting aye)

The Hotsy steam pressure washer purchased in 2001 is down and in need of repair. To repair the unit with a new pump and 2 h.p. motor will cost $1,042.95. For comparison a new pressure washer of comparable performance costs $2,975. After short discussion it was moved by Anderson, seconded Keenan to repair the old unit for $1,042.95, carried. (All voting aye)

The Board discussed acquisition of a new hyrdrostatic outfront mower. Etzel reported that discussions with Southard Implement as the low bidder earlier this year had not been successful. The bid as submitted exceeds the amount budgeted for the new unit. Based on bids placed in 2007 the bid submitted is too high for the product being received. The Board tabled any motion pending further development.

After discussion of assorted conservation topics it was moved by Keenan, seconded Wrage to adjourn, carried, Adjourned 8:20 p.m..

______________________ ______________________

CHAIR VICE-CHAIR